The Philippine Online Chronicles

Atlanta Hawks 105 - Washington Wizards 99

Leading sixth man of the year candidate Jamal Crawford scored 29 points on 50 percent shooting to lead his team over the Washington Wizards, who have now lost 5 straight games. The Hawks also needed 32 points off Washington 20 turnovers as the Wizards were particularly feisty this night, keeping the game close. Andray Blatche was responsible for 7 of those 20 lost balls. Though he scored 30 points to go with his 10 rebounds, he admitted after the game that he wasn't used to being double-teamed yet. Blatche had assumed the scoring burden since the trade deadline sent away former teammates Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison to Dallas and Cleveland, respectively. His front-court mate JaVale McGee added a near double-double with 20 points and 9 boards, while Nick Young scored added 17 points off the bench, 13 in the second quarter. Joe Johnson and Al Horford added 18 points each for the Hawks, who avoided a 3 game losing streak. The win put the Hawks a half-game ahead of the slumping Celtics, earning them the number 3 seed in the East.

Chicago Bulls 82 - Orlando Magic 111

Not only did the Orlando Magic win this game, but a Dwight Howard-collison may cause the Bulls to miss Derrick Rose for an extended period of time. For the second time this season, Howard challenged Rose on a drive, causing Rose to fall awkwardly. This time, Rose landed on his left wrist, and left the game after the first quarter. Early tests have diagnosed it as a sprain but MRI tests are expected to show the full extent of the injury. After that moment, the Bulls practically packed it up and began to look towards their next game. Vince Carter scored 23 points on 8 of 13 shooting, but it was reserves Brandon Bass and JJ Redick who got the major minutes, producing 13 and 11 points respectively. The rookie forward pair of Taj Gibson and James Johnson combined for 25 points as Chicago is now 1 and a half games behind the Miami Heat, whom they play tomorrow in Miami, for the 8th seed in the East.

Portland Trailblazers 110 - Golden State Warriors 105
Brandon Roy notched his first win at the Oracle Arena in Oakland as the Golden State Warriors coughed up a 13 point lead to the visiting Trail Blazers, who hadn't won at Golden State previously since 2004. It took 41 points and 8 rebounds from Roy though to do the trick, as Portland rifled off 15 unanswered to steal the lead and momentum from the Warriors, who scored only a paltry 9 points in the last quarter. Corey Maggette led Golden State with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, while Monta Ellis returned from injury to add 17, though he would foul out later on, with the Blazers leading by 3. The win kept Portland ahead of the threatening Memphis Grizzlies, who are four games behind the Blazers for the last seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Photo by Ellie Van Houtte.